Daniel Popper is a South African sculptor and multidisciplinary artist known for his large-scale public art installations that blend sculpture, nature, and immersive experiences.[1]
Early life and education
editDaniel Popper was born and raised in South Africa.[2] He developed an early interest in art and design, which led him to pursue formal training in these fields.[3] Popper studied at the Michaelis School of Fine Art at the University of Cape Town, where he honed his skills in sculpture, painting, and installation art.[4]
Career
editPopper began his career in the early 2000s, initially gaining attention for his work in the South African arts scene. Over time, he expanded his practice to include multidisciplinary approaches, incorporating elements of architecture, nature, and technology into his works.[5] His installations are known for their monumental scale, often featuring towering human figures intertwined with natural forms such as trees, plants, and flowers.[6][7][8]
Popper’s artistic style is characterized by its focus on the intersection of the human form and the natural environment.[9] His works often serve as meditative spaces, inviting viewers to reflect on their relationship with nature and with each other.[10] The use of organic materials and themes of growth and transformation are recurring motifs in his art.[11]
Notable works
editPopper's works include large-scale installations like Umi, which explores the interconnectedness of life through the symbolism of the sea,[12] and Ven A la Luz, a massive sculpture displayed in Tulum, Mexico, that has become an iconic landmark.[13][14]
Exhibitions and public installations
editPopper’s work has been featured in various prominent art festivals and public spaces around the world. His installations have appeared at festivals such as Burning Man in the United States, Electric Daisy Carnival in Las Vegas, and Afrikaburn in South Africa.[15][8][16] Each piece is often site-specific, designed to complement and engage with its surroundings.[6]
References
edit- ^ Roach, Margaret (2021-08-04). "Questions About Tree Care? You're Not Alone". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
- ^ Harden, Olivia. "'Drones everywhere': Influencers intrude on Joshua Tree art piece". SFGate.
- ^ Muzdakis, Madeleine (2020-12-08). "Giant Sculpture Opens Its Chest To Reveal a Fern-Covered Tunnel People Can Walk Through". My Modern Met. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
- ^ Mkhwanazi, Katlego (2014-10-16). "Puppetry canters out of the toy box". The Mail & Guardian. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
- ^ Nair, Shraddha. "South African artist Daniel Popper creates art inspired by life and nature". www.stirworld.com. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
- ^ a b "Fort Lauderdale's Riveting New Sculpture". bocaratonobserver.com. 2021-03-25. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
- ^ Jobson, Christopher (2020-12-17). "A Monumental Figure Reveals a Fern-Canopied Tunnel Inside Its Chest in Sculpture by Daniel Popper". Colossal. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
- ^ a b "Meet Umi, the 'powerful' sculpture by a world-famous artist that now sits in a suburban Colorado field". Denver 7 Colorado News (KMGH). 2023-09-23. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
- ^ ""UMI" Sculpture by Daniel Popper in Lisle, Illinois". streetartutopia.com. 2021-06-09. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
- ^ McKee, Spencer (2023-08-24). "Massive 21-foot-tall sculpture of 'ancestral goddess' unveiled in Colorado". OutThere Colorado. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
- ^ Mansour, Raed (2021-07-18), Umi, Human Nature Art Exhibition by Daniel Popper, Morton Arboretum, retrieved 2024-08-27
- ^ Papathanasiou, Katerina (2021-06-16). "Daniel Popper Debuts Largest Exhibit to Date at Morton Arboretum". The Vale Magazine. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
- ^ Staugaitis, Laura (2018-06-13). "A Towering Wooden Sculpture by Daniel Popper Welcomes Beachgoers in Tulum". Colossal. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
- ^ "Ven a la Luz, Tulum, México - Land of the Bigs". 2024-03-25. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
- ^ Steele, John (1 Jan 2015). "Sculpting with fire : celebrating ephemerality at AfrikaBurn 2015 in the Tankwa Karoo, South Africa". Sabinet African Journals.
- ^ "A Wooden Sculpture "Anima" By Daniel Popper in Las Vegas". themindcircle. 2020-02-22. Retrieved 2024-08-27.